How we managed the London 2012 Olympics

We’re proud to have played our part in helping to deliver a
safe, successful and healthy London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.

Around 400 frontline staff – including some from other NHS
ambulance services around the country – worked alongside Games
organisers to provide medical care to athletes, spectators,
officials, the media and many more.

Importantly, we also made sure we continued to provide a good
service to our patients across the rest of London during this busy
time.

The main challenges of the Games

It was the biggest sporting event in the world and an
enormous test, with a huge influx of spectators, athletes,
officials and media into London. The challenge was not just
providing medical care at and around the venues, but also ensuring
that we maintained our normal day-to-day emergency service.

Staffing the Games

Around 400 frontline staff were dedicated
to working in Games venues - about half of them from other English
NHS ambulance services. There were 66 ambulances
dedicated to the Games, in addition to our normal vehicles. We also
had extra cycle responders on duty in busy hotspots such as St
Pancras and Stratford train stations and teams of paramedics
working on foot to get through the crowds quickly.

The roles of our staff

Our staff - along with those from other ambulance services
- performed a variety of roles during the Games.
There were four zone commanders in charge of overseeing any
issues in their areas. Venue commanders were based in
each Games venue and frontline staff were at all of the sports
venues, on hand to treat patients, as well as at celebratory events
across London.

Our event control room was open 24/7 during the
Games. This was where our day-to-day response to the Games was
managed from.

What training did we give our staff?

As part of our preparations for the London
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, our frontline staff were
given special training. This ranged from a general introduction to
the Games and our role within it, to treating patients with a range
of disabilities.